Robin Lopez

Lopez will suit up for his third team in as many years as he enters his ninth NBA season. The big man joined the Bulls in June, coming over from the Knicks shortly before the draft as the key piece in the Derrick Rose trade. He'll have big shoes to fill, stepping in as the s...

Lopez was traded Wednesday to the Bulls along with Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon in exchange for Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The proud owner of a new four-year, $54 million contract, Lopez joined the Knicks in free agency after playing the past two seasons for the Blazers. Last year, the seven-footer posted 9.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 54 percent in 28 minutes per game across 59 appearances. Ultimately, a broken right hand suffered last December prevented Lopez from completing his third straight season without missing a game, but he remained a formidable presence around the rim when healthy. Now with the Knicks, Lopez is expected to anchor New York's defense as the team's unquestioned starting center. That should coincide with a useful amount of blocked shots, but it will be most interesting to monitor how the Knicks' roster composition impacts Lopez's rebounding numbers. Without playing alongside another seven-footer like former teammate LaMarcus Aldridge, Lopez figures to consume a larger chunk of his team's rebounds but has only averaged over seven boards per game once in his previous seven seasons. While Lopez's defensive contributions still outweigh his offensive ability, the 27-year-old's average of 10.7 points over the past three seasons suggests he could become a more frequent double-double threat this season, if his rebounding rate reflects his comparatively larger role on the Knicks.

2014-15

After arriving in Portland last offseason via a three-team deal, Robin Lopez turned in the most prolific season of his six-year career, averaging 11.1 points (on 55-percent shooting), 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 0.9 assists in 32 minutes. The exchange appears to have worked in the Blazers' favor, at least initially, as Lopez's placement in the starting lineup allowed frontcourt mate LaMarcus Aldridge to focus more of his energy on the offensive end of the floor. Meanwhile, Lopez responded with a career-high in swats and defensive rebounds, but the center also emerged as a force on the offensive glass, corralling a franchise record 326 offensive rebounds on the year. Largely avoiding any serious injuries for the third consecutive year, Lopez is building up a track record as a reliable option inside, unlike his twin brother, Brook. As Robin enters the final year of his contract, he can be relied upon for boards, blocks, and a more-than-palatable field-goal percentage.

2013-14

While Lopez didn't fully emerge out of his brother's shadow last season, he at least poked his head around Brook's shoulder. The forgotten Lopez twin easily put together the best season of his career for the Hornets, finishing with career-high marks in scoring (11.3), rebounding (5.6) blocked shots (1.6) and minutes played (26 mpg). While his counting stats might not jump out of the box score, Lopez was able to add to his overall fantasy value by being an extremely efficient big man, shooting 53 from the floor, 78 percent from the charity stripe and limiting his turnovers to 1.3 per game. Lopez was a strong veteran presence in the paint for a rebuilding squad in New Orleans, but he will join an already established Portland frontcourt after being packaged as part of the Tyreke Evans sign-and-trade deal. The Blazers' frontcourt will continue to revolve around LaMarcus Aldridge and the team will likely want to get Myers Leonard more involved in the rotation during his second season, which makes it unlikely Lopez will see as large of a role as he did in New Orleans. But if Lopez is able to carve out 22-26 mpg with his new team, he's capable of providing consistent enough production to be worth a look in some formats.

2012-13

Lopez comes to New Orleans following a mediocre start to his career. He played in all but two games last season, averaging 5.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg and .9 bpg, but Lopez was stuck as a defensive-minded player in a heavily offensive team. Lopez could reach his potential under Williams. He might not put up the numbers to be a force in fantasy, but his contributions to the team as a defensive stalwart will be a big help to the team. Unless in a deep league and looking for defensive stats, Lopez should not be a fantasy option.

2011-12

Handed the starting role in Phoenix, Lopez squandered it thanks to poor play. He is foul prone and has no offensive game to speak of. Even if Gortat were to get injured, itís hard to foresee Lopez producing enough offensively in order to be worth a roster spot.

2010-11

It appeared, as they entered the NBA, that Robin would always remain in the shadow of his twin brother Brook. To a certain degree, it's true: while the latter has become a night-in, night-out double-double threat, the former has become more of hustle-type player. But it was Robin hustling with Phoenix in the playoffs last year as his brother toiled with the lowly Nets. He enters the season as No. 1 on the depth chart at center. That's good for at least 25 minutes per game.

2009-10

Lopez's rookie season was a far cry from his brother Brook's in New Jersey, as he struggled to adjust to the pro game even without the pressure of being a starter. With Shaquille O'Neal now in Cleveland, Lopez is the Suns' best option for interior defense, but his showing in the Summer League didn't give any indication he was ready for a bigger role. Even if he does earn more minutes his value will come solely in rebounds and blocks, as he's a poor fit for the "Seven Seconds or Less" offensive philosophy.

2008-09

He has more hair than his brother Brook, but that's likely to be the only category in which he outperforms his sibling. Unless an injury opens up a starting spot for him, Lopez will be just a big body off the bench for the Suns this season.